FaithPoint Lutheran Church at 201 Central Ave. N in New Prague is offering face masks from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 27. People can prepare for Fourth of July activities by getting a mask. Area residents can stay in their cars and enter the church’s parking lot from the north. There will be two lines to serve people. Face masks for men, women and children will be available. Free will offering will be accepted to cover costs. The remainder of the masks will go the Peace Center in New Prague. The masks are sponsored by Sue’s Quilt Shop in New Prague and volunteers.

Mary Frances Loula, age 84, passed away peacefully in her home June 18th, 2020, with her family by her side. She was born on October 6th, 1935 in New Prague, Minnesota to Harold and Helen Picha. After graduating from New Prague High school and working in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she married her high school sweetheart, Myron (Mike) Loula, on August 9th, 1958 at Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague, Minnesota.  Mary was a dedicated mother and grandmother first and foremost. She treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them.

Residents of Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague enjoy a Father’s Day parade the afternoon of Sunday, June 21. More than 30 residents watched as more than 30 vehicles in all shapes, sizes and years went by to celebrate dads, plus a few moms. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic staff at the assisted living and nursing home had the parade to allow families to see each other. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Youth sports games and scrimmages can resume June 24 or later for outdoor sports, and July 1 or later for indoor sports.
The guidance seeks to balance the goals of minimizing disease transmission and allowing young people to engage in sports activities that have important physical, emotional, and social benefits. It also provides additional clarifications and recommendations for adult sports competitions this summer.
View the new sports guidance and answers to frequently asked questions at Community Settings: COVID-19.

The detour for the construction project along Main Street (Highway 19) in New Prague’s downtown has been postponed until further notice as a permit to work in the railroad’s right-of-way is experiencing a delay. Work through the railroad right-of-way is the critical first stage of project construction.

Donna Germscheid, age 84, lost her battle with Alzheimer’s Thursday May 7th, 2020 at Shoreview Senior Living.  Donna is remembered as a strong woman who loved her family, golf, gardening, sewing, crossword puzzles, reading, music, fishing and animals. 

Lucille Caroline Busch died after a short illness on June 15th, 2020 at Mala Strana, in New Prague. Lucy was born on December 13, 1922 in the Maxa family farm house just outside of New Prague.  She was the third daughter of four children born to Jacob and Anna Maxa. 

Backlin, Sigfred A’Dare, Age 93 of Bloomington, MN died on June 11, 2020. 
Sigfred was born on a farm at Holmes City, MN to the parents of Sigfred and Olga Backlin.  Graduated from Alexandria High School.  Served during WWII and the Korean War.  He was a railroad engineer for M&STL as well as Chicago Northwestern Railroads, several of those years in New Prague, for a total of 43 years and 25 more years as a Cub Foods employee. 

On June 15, 2020, at approximately 7:20 a.m., Scott County Dispatch received a report of a possible missing boater on Prior Lake.
The missing individual was reported to have not returned home last night from fishing and boating.  Law enforcement responded to the Knotty Oar Marina and located the missing individual’s unoccupied pontoon and cell phone on their boat slip, along with some personal belongings floating nearby in the water. 

Sylvia (Sally Simon,) Rezac, 91, of Owatonna, died June 12th, 2020.
Sylvia was born in New Prague, MN to Bohumil and Ludmilla (Kalina) Simon. She was the 6th of 9 children. Sylvia grew up speaking Czech and later learned English and Latin in Catholic school.
Every summer on the farm as a young child, it gave her great joy caring for her flocks of ducklings and goslings. Due to chronic respiratory problems, Sylvia spent most winter days staying with her Grandma Kalina in Veseli, attending Most Holy Trinity Catholic school.

Andy Pany, 61, of Montgomery, passed away at his home on June 9, 2020.
Burial will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 3 p.m. at the National Bohemian Cemetery in Montgomery. A visitation will be held at 4 p.m. at the Rustic Farmer, Montgomery. Social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Andy was the son of Alvin and Gerry Pany. He was born January 20, 1959. After graduating from Montgomery High School, Andy went to school and became a journeyman Electrician and worked for St. Paul Electrical Union.

On June 13, 2020 at 3:04 a.m., Scott County 911 Dispatch received a call of a residential garage on fire on the 25xxx block of Willow Lane in Helena Township.  
Police and fire were dispatched and upon arrival, witnessed the detached garage of a single-family residence fully engulfed in flames.  The fire had also spread to the home, a small shed, the nearby wooded areas, and several vehicles had caught fire.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire; however, damage to the buildings and vehicles was substantial.

John Dean Knudtson, age 21 of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at his home in New Prague, Minnesota. John was born December 4, 1998, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Joseph and Wendy (Miller) Knudtson. He enjoyed skateboarding, hanging out with friends, playing Magic card games, and video games, especially Call of Duty and Black Ops. John was an avid weapons expert and enjoyed being outdoors. He loved his Jeep, the movie Deadpool, art, and was a very talented drawer. John was very independent and proud; he would rarely ask for help.

A 59-year-old New Prague man was found dead on Lake Vermilion in St. Louis County on Thursday, June 11.
According to a news release from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, around 11:27 a.m. on June 11 St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies along with the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade, and Cook Ambulance responded to a water emergency on Lake Vermilion near the area of Norwegian Bay, which is located approximately 10 miles northeast of the town of Cook.

Main Street CLOSURE and DETOUR has been POSTPONED one more week to Monday, June 22nd, at which time the project detour is expected to go into effect.
While the need for the detour for Highway 19 project in New Prague is delayed again until Monday, June 22, motorists should be advised that some work in the areas of the shoulders and parking lanes will begin.  Officials ask that motorists watch out for workers, equipment and traffic control devices.

Full road closure at CH 2 and CH 91 intersection so crews can construct roundabout. Closure will last for approximately 10 weeks, weather permitting. Detour map shows both north/south and east/west options.
More information can be found here: www.scottcountymn.gov/1943